plots
plots — noun
- plotssingular
- plotsesplural
1. the linked chain of happenings that make up the main story in a novel, movie, dr
the linked chain of happenings that make up the main story in a novel, movie, drama, or TV programme, including how characters and their choices connect to one another.
The novel has two separate plots that come together at the end.
noun form used with 'has'; two distinct storylines
Alessia found the film confusing because the plot jumped back and forth in time.
Critics praised the tight plots of the author's early mystery novels.
The movie's plot follows a young archaeologist searching for a lost temple.
Adina guessed the plot twist halfway through the second chapter.
用法筆記
Commonly modified by adjectives such as 'complex', 'simple', 'twisted', 'predictable', or 'gripping'.
常見錯誤
2. a secret scheme developed by a group of people to carry out an action that is il
a secret scheme developed by a group of people to carry out an action that is illegal, dishonest, or intended to cause harm.
The police discovered a plot to rob the central bank during the night shift.
plot + to-infinitive: plot to [do something]
Several government officials were arrested for their part in the assassination plot.
Feng uncovered a plot among the executives to hide the company's losses from investors.
Historical records show there were multiple plots against the emperor's life.
The novel centers on a secret plot by a rival kingdom to poison the royal family.
- conspiracy
usually refers to a plot involving multiple people, often against a government or authority
- scheme
can be neutral or negative; suggests cleverness and sometimes deception
- intrigue
suggests complex, secretive scheming, often in political settings
用法筆記
Frequently followed by an infinitive clause ('plot to overthrow') or 'against' ('plot against the government'). The noun is countable; it often appears with 'foil', 'expose', 'uncover', or 'hatch'.
常見錯誤
3. a measured area of ground, usually small, that is set aside for a specific use s
a measured area of ground, usually small, that is set aside for a specific use such as building a house, growing vegetables, or burying the dead.
The family bought a small plot of land outside the city to build a weekend cottage.
plot of [land/ground] — standard noun phrase
Kasia grows tomatoes and peppers on two narrow plots behind her apartment building.
City planners divided the empty field into twelve building plots for new houses.
The cemetery's oldest section has burial plots dating back to the eighteen-fifties.
João turned a dusty plot behind his workshop into a small vegetable garden.
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'plot of + noun' ('plot of land', 'plot of ground'). 'Building plot' and 'burial plot' are common compounds.
4. a drawing, map, or chart that shows the position, layout, or progress of somethi
a drawing, map, or chart that shows the position, layout, or progress of something, often using lines or coordinates.
The engineer studied the plot of the building's electrical wiring before starting repairs.
use in technical/engineering context
Femi created detailed plots of temperature changes across the laboratory over a full year.
The architect's plots showed every floor of the hospital with precise measurements.
Matthew used computer software to generate plots of population growth in Southeast Asia.
Old nautical plots revealed the routes used by traders in the sixteenth century.
用法筆記
More technical and formal than the other noun senses. Common in architecture, engineering, navigation, and data science contexts. 'Plot' is often used interchangeably with 'chart' or 'map' in specialised fields.
plots — verb
- plotspresent simple I / you / we / they
- plotses3rd person singular
- plotsing-ing form
- plotsedpast simple
1. to draw or mark the position or route of something on a map, plan, or piece of p
to draw or mark the position or route of something on a map, plan, or piece of paper, often using symbols, lines, or coordinates.
The navigator carefully plots the ship's course on the chart before each journey.
plot + noun (course) + on + noun (chart)
Quinn plotted the locations of all the coffee shops on a map of the old town.
Using a pencil, the surveyor plotted the boundaries of each farm onto the official map.
Kenji plotted the escape route on a napkin so nobody would find the paper later.
The rescue team plotted every known path through the forest before sending in searchers.
文法句型
plot + noun phrase (position/route/course) + on + noun phrase (map/chart)
用法筆記
Frequently takes a direct object such as 'course', 'route', 'position', or 'location', followed by a prepositional phrase with 'on' or 'onto'.
2. to place points on a graph or coordinate system and connect them to form a line
to place points on a graph or coordinate system and connect them to form a line or curve, showing how two or more sets of values relate to each other.
The students plotted the temperature readings on a graph to see the weekly trend.
plot + noun (readings/data) + on + noun (graph)
Darius plotted each data point carefully along the x and y axes.
Bao plotted the company's monthly sales figures against its advertising costs.
When you plot the results on a log scale, the pattern becomes much clearer.
The scientist plotted the distance of each star from Earth on a simple line chart.
- graph
can be used as a verb in the same context, often interchangeably
文法句型
plot + noun phrase (points/data/values) + on + noun phrase (graph/axis)
用法筆記
Common in academic and scientific writing. The object is typically data, measurements, or coordinates. 'Plot against' indicates comparing two variables.
3. to secretly plan something with others, whether for a harmful or illegal purpose
to secretly plan something with others, whether for a harmful or illegal purpose or for a playful or surprising one.
A small group of officers plotted to overthrow the elected government last spring.
plot + to-infinitive — most common pattern
The rebels plotted against the king for months before the uprising began.
Aarav discovered that his business partner was plotting to steal the company's patents.
The three suspects plotted the bank robbery in a rented room above a bakery.
Historians believe the general plotted the assassination while pretending to be loyal.
The children plotted a surprise party for their mother's fiftieth birthday.
Femi and Kasia plotted to hide rubber ducks across the office for April Fools' Day.
The team plotted an elaborate prank on their manager during the holiday party.
Alessia and her neighbours plotted a welcome dinner for the new family on the street.
The cousins plotted a week of secret activities for their grandmother's visit.
- conspire
always negative; implies two or more people secretly working toward a harmful goal
- scheme
usually negative; suggests clever but often dishonest planning
- plan
neutral; broader, does not carry the secrecy or playful connotation
- arrange
neutral; focuses on organising details without the sense of secrecy
文法句型
plot + to-infinitive
plot + against + noun phrase
plot + noun phrase
用法筆記
The connotation depends on the object: with negative objects (robbery, overthrow, revenge), the sense is harmful; with playful objects (surprise, prank, party), the sense is neutral or positive. The intransitive form is often followed by 'against'.
常見錯誤
4. to create and arrange the chain of happenings and developments that form the sto
to create and arrange the chain of happenings and developments that form the story of a novel, film, play, or television programme.
The screenwriter plotted the entire series before writing the first script.
plot + noun phrase (series/novel/film)
Matthew plotted his novel chapter by chapter, mapping out each character's journey.
The author plotted the story so carefully that every first chapter clue matters at the end.
Adina spent six months plotting the structure of her debut mystery novel.
Good television writers plot each episode to end with a moment that makes viewers want more.
文法句型
plot + noun phrase (novel/story/film/episode)
用法筆記
Used primarily in creative writing and filmmaking contexts. Unlike the 'mark on map' senses, this one is about constructing narrative structure rather than drawing.